2 chronicles 18:15 - The king said to him, “How many times shall I adjure you that you speak to me nothing but the truth in Yahweh’s name?”
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What does "2 chronicles 18:15" mean?
This verse, 2 Chronicles 18:15, is a key moment in the encounter between King Jehoshaphat of Judah and the prophet Micaiah. Let's break down what it means:
"The king said to him...": This refers to King Ahab of Israel (the parallel account in 1 Kings 22 clarifies this). Jehoshaphat and Ahab were allied at this time, seeking to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead.
"How many times shall I adjure you...": To "adjure" someone is to command them solemnly, usually under oath. It's a formal and forceful demand. Ahab is getting frustrated. He's asking, essentially, "How many times do I have to swear you in to tell me the truth?" The implication is that Micaiah hasn't been forthcoming or truthful in Ahab's eyes.
"...that you speak to me nothing but the truth...": This is the core of the command. Ahab wants Micaiah to speak honestly, without holding back or sugarcoating his message. He wants the unvarnished truth.
"...in Yahweh’s name?”: This is a crucial element. "Yahweh" is the covenant name of God in the Old Testament. By invoking Yahweh's name, Ahab is making the demand for truth a matter of religious obligation. He's saying, "Tell me the truth, and do so in God's name; swear by God that you will be honest." This is a significant weight being placed on Micaiah's words. Ahab wants to believe Micaiah is speaking under divine compulsion, and thus reliably.
Meaning and Context:
The verse reveals the tension between a ruler's desire for favorable prophecy and a prophet's duty to speak God's truth, even when it's unwelcome. Ahab had previously consulted many other prophets who gave him positive predictions about the upcoming battle. Micaiah initially echoed these positive predictions sarcastically (as can be seen from verse 14), likely because he knew Ahab wanted to hear good news.
Ahab, sensing the sarcasm, gets angry and invokes this solemn adjuration, forcing Micaiah to speak plainly, in the name of God. This highlights:
Ahab's skepticism: He doesn't trust Micaiah and believes he's holding back or being dishonest.
Ahab's manipulation: He's trying to force Micaiah to say what he wants to hear by invoking the highest authority (Yahweh).
The weight of prophecy: Speaking in Yahweh's name was a serious matter, implying divine authority and responsibility.
Ultimately, Micaiah then delivers a prophecy of disaster, predicting Ahab's death in battle. This demonstrates the prophet's faithfulness to God despite the king's desires and the danger to himself.
2 chronicles 18:15 - The king said to him, “How many times shall I adjure you that you speak to me nothing but the truth in Yahweh’s name?”
What does "2 chronicles 18:15" mean?
This verse, 2 Chronicles 18:15, is a key moment in the encounter between King Jehoshaphat of Judah and the prophet Micaiah. Let's break down what it means:
"The king said to him...": This refers to King Ahab of Israel (the parallel account in 1 Kings 22 clarifies this). Jehoshaphat and Ahab were allied at this time, seeking to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead.
"How many times shall I adjure you...": To "adjure" someone is to command them solemnly, usually under oath. It's a formal and forceful demand. Ahab is getting frustrated. He's asking, essentially, "How many times do I have to swear you in to tell me the truth?" The implication is that Micaiah hasn't been forthcoming or truthful in Ahab's eyes.
"...that you speak to me nothing but the truth...": This is the core of the command. Ahab wants Micaiah to speak honestly, without holding back or sugarcoating his message. He wants the unvarnished truth.
"...in Yahweh’s name?”: This is a crucial element. "Yahweh" is the covenant name of God in the Old Testament. By invoking Yahweh's name, Ahab is making the demand for truth a matter of religious obligation. He's saying, "Tell me the truth, and do so in God's name; swear by God that you will be honest." This is a significant weight being placed on Micaiah's words. Ahab wants to believe Micaiah is speaking under divine compulsion, and thus reliably.
Meaning and Context:
The verse reveals the tension between a ruler's desire for favorable prophecy and a prophet's duty to speak God's truth, even when it's unwelcome. Ahab had previously consulted many other prophets who gave him positive predictions about the upcoming battle. Micaiah initially echoed these positive predictions sarcastically (as can be seen from verse 14), likely because he knew Ahab wanted to hear good news.
Ahab, sensing the sarcasm, gets angry and invokes this solemn adjuration, forcing Micaiah to speak plainly, in the name of God. This highlights:
Ahab's skepticism: He doesn't trust Micaiah and believes he's holding back or being dishonest.
Ahab's manipulation: He's trying to force Micaiah to say what he wants to hear by invoking the highest authority (Yahweh).
The weight of prophecy: Speaking in Yahweh's name was a serious matter, implying divine authority and responsibility.
Ultimately, Micaiah then delivers a prophecy of disaster, predicting Ahab's death in battle. This demonstrates the prophet's faithfulness to God despite the king's desires and the danger to himself.